THE PLAN: Go Shopping for Those NEEDED Supplies - **ALONE**!!

..yeah.. so THAT "happened"... [*not!*]

 

• FIRST-SHOPPING-DAY-of-the-NEW-YEAR!
• -25C Temps! -35C Windchills!
• The "Threat" of Another GINORMOUS SNOW STORM headed THIS WAY!! - maybe.. - Actually, We got seriously LUCKY and IT slipped by to the SOUTH of Us on IT's way to SMUCK the EAST COAST!
• I had a LIST of WHAT-TO-GET and WHERE-TO-GO - depending on how the WEATHER turned out...
• I was also hoping to be HOME by Sundown...
• HOWEVER...

 

MOTHER **WANTED** "TO-GO-OUT"!!

 

["..ahh..NO-ooo!"]

 

 

LONG-SHOPPING-STORY-NOT-SO-SHORT...

• "Alone" - I *would* have been HOME by 5pm!
• With the ELDERLY-PARENTAL-ATTACHMENT in tow, it was closer to 8pm!! - And, I'd only gone to THREE Stores! Sooo GLAD that I had left Her at MICHAEL'S whilst I had whipped through WALMART...
• Then again... That FULL Cart of Once-Really-Expensive-HOLIDAY-RIBBONS that were ON-SALE for *JUST* a **DOLLAR**, should have been My "FIRST-CLUE"!?
• yeah... I bought SOME, too... The ONES *without* the GLITTER!
• And, a LONE BALL of YARN...
• DARKNESS and FOUR-LARGE-BAGS full *LATER*, We were on Our Way to LOBLAWS - "FOR" the NEEDED-GROCERIES that I didn't Find at WALMART... [at least, *that* was My "Original"-PURPOSE!]
• One-Minute, I see Her Several-Aisles away in "Frozen-Foods" as bent down to get some EGGS - [the PRIMARY-GOAL-of-the-Day] - and, She's GONE! - great...
• I reTRACE to "where" She LAST "was"..? - nada...
• screw it! -- I head over to the "Housewares"-OTHER-STUFF-Section. I *know* that She'll "eventually" GO there.
• [oh. Some picked-over Christmas-Crap...] - I peruse for a Moment, then head toward the Front of the Store to where the MAJORITY of IT is... AND, apparently MOTHER! - [btw, She PHONED Me when I was halfway over There!]
• That FULL-CART Thing, is becoming a BAD-HABIT! - [But, when Some GOOD-*Crap* is down to "24-Cents"..? Even *I* get LURED to "The-DARKSIDE"!]
• hmm... WRAPPING-PAPER with "KNITTING" on Them... And, CLEAR-COLOURED-"CELLOPHANE" Rolls too...
• NUTS! It's *AFTER* 7pm!!
• yay! EMPTY CHECKOUT-Lines... I HAUL MOTHER and Our TWO Carts over...
• o-kay... NOW, I've got to "origami" THIS STUFF *into* The CAR! -- And THEN, "INTO" the HOUSE!?! - [which took Me over 10-Minutes to do, BTW! - IN the COLD!]

 

sooo...

• That STORM totally MISSED Us - [at least for Now..]
• MOTHER appears to be "Shopped"-OUT for a while..? -- I HOPE!
• Sweet! - The CASHIER seems to have "missed" TWO of those WRAPPING-PAPERS..? - [Blame the OTHER-CASHIER-GUY for "helping" Her! - Whatever, "saved" a whole 48-Cents! woohoo!]
• huh. Remind Me to never buy BANANAS again when the Temps are at -25C and Colder and They have to be in the Trunk for over an Hour... [eww...]
• BTW, does ANYONE need any RIBBON..?
• And, *yes* KIDS, "GLITTER" does get E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E!!

 

****************************************************************

In Search of a CAGEY *IDEA*...

I'VE GOT THE "TRAP"... JUST NEED THE *RIGHT* "BAIT"...

As the WEATHER was on the UNpredictable side Today, We Chose to SHOP-FARI instead of YARD-SALE-ing... Besides, there were a Few OTHER Stores We wanted to peruse in addition to the Regular *Pilgrimage* to MICHAEL'S...

The "CHRISTMAS" COTTON YARN was Acquired at WALMART... I always pick up Some in the BIG BALLS *whenever* They show UP!

The REMAINING ITEMS were from MICHAEL'S... Although I'm not a "Big Fan" of EMERALD-GREEN, IT nevertheless *BLENDS* well with My OTHER YARN COLOURS. -- And, I had a 40%-OFF-COUPON...

As to that *Quaint*-Little-RED-"BIRD-CAGE"... I actually got FIVE of Them. They were finally ON SALE!

I want to do *something* "FUNKY" with Them! -- I just DON'T Know **WHAT**, yet! - But, WHATEVER I come up with, IT *has* to be LOW-COST in order to be Worthwhile! - OTHERWISE, there'll just be Five-Funky-"NOVELTY"-GIFTS-for-The-FAMILY!

ANY THOUGHTS..??

Actually, I DO have ONE Idea... However, IT involves a *much* LARGER Potential-PRODUCT... hmm... I need to Consult My STASH-of-STUFF...

*************************************************************

well...*THAT* only took Me about a **MONTH** to get around to DOING!!

hey! DON'T LOOK *SO* SHOCKED!! -- I don't CALL Myself THE PRINCESS-of-POSTAL-PROCRASTINATION for NOTHING!!

right. sooo... My APPLICATION for My CRAFT-TABLES at This Year's CAIRINE WILSON HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SALE is **FINALLY** on ITS "WAY"!! -- oh! BTW, the "SALE" is on NOVEMBER 16TH! - BE THERE!!

I'll get around to putting a "NOTICE" up on THE SIDEBAR... Later...

Anyhoo, IT wasn't an Especially "Exciting" Day... Just did some MONTH-END-CYBER-STUFF... Got a bit of KNITTING done between Sluggish-Screen-Refresh-Rates and Watching DVDs... Did My HAIR... WRACKED My BRAIN trying to REMEMBER *HOW* to FIX this *stupid* CURSOR-CRAP, *and* to Find SOMETHING to Bloog-About for Tonight!

hm.. "Interesting", isn't IT, on How THAT always seems to EVENTUALLY *Solve* ITSELF out, huh?

At any rate, in Effort as to NOT *BORE* You COMPLETELY, HERE's a Little "Something" to LOOK *AT*! -- Just a SAMPLE of Yesterday's RIBBON-Purchases...

Except for the YELLOW One, I got TWO-ROLLS of EACH, and THREE of the PINK... That ONE on the FAR-RIGHT is actually a VIOLET-Colour with BLACK-SPIDER-WEBS on IT...

"HALLOWEEN"-Stuff is *already* OUT!!

*********************************************************************

Actually, in the "Long-Run", being LATE probably was for the Best...

AND, CHEAPER! -- well... sorta... perhaps..? - yeah. okay. *maybe* NOT so much...

So. Of course, MICHAEL'S just happened to be having this GREAT "Time-Limited" 40%-OFF-*ENTIRE*-Regular-Purchases-SALE until 1:00... A perfect Opportunity to "HOARD-UP" on that NEW PATONS ROVING YARN! -- And, LOOK! NO *RAIN*!! - [just OVERCASTness]

right. THAT "happened" *NOT*!! -- By the Time EVERYONE got UP and "ready", there was NO way that We were going to make THAT Deadline!

oh, Look! A "YARD-SALE"-SIGN for the NEXT-STREET-OVER...

There were a Couple of SALES. However, BOTH were Packing-UP! -- I managed to Pinch These TWO RICE BOWLS for a TOTAL of 50-Cents!

THEY're an ample Size... And, got Me to Thinking that, THEY could be Handy to use for Small KNIT-Projects..? - YARN-BALLS could be run through those Holes...


ANYHOO... Eventually, We made it over to MICHAEL'S - *after* 1:00 - and, "Power-Browsed"... MOTHER hasn't been There for quite some Time. -- I Introduced Her to the WALL-of-WOOL!

Meanwhile, seeing as there were NO "40%-OFF"-COUPON Deals going on, I opted-out on getting any MORE of the ROVING YARN. -- for now... -- Instead, I Gathered OTHER-STUFF - [SEE Further BELOW]

So... As I was heading Across the Store to put an Item back, I "stumbled" onto a Carousel of MARTHA STEWART YARNS... hmm... *SHE* makes ROVING YARN, too?? huh. -- And, on the BOTTOM-Basket, there's the REST of the CLEARANCE-[$1.99]-PRICED *MERINO*!

After Acquiring the ENTIRE Lot of GREEN Last Week, I had wondered about whether or not IF there were ANY *MORE* to be had at THAT Price..?! -- Needless to say, I Grabbed THIS ENTIRE LOT as well!

seriously. I was about to Leave *WITHOUT* WOOL!?! - I *had* to GET THIS BUNCH!

I noticed that there was a Softer-GREEN in Those TIN-POTS that I'd gotten Last Time. - I have a *USE* in Mind for THEM, so I got More.

Those Little PLASTIC-BOXES were also Priced Lower... I'm sure that I'll Find SOMETHING to put IN THEM! -- Perhaps, Those WOODEN-CLOTHES-PINS..?

And, BTW... ONE can never have *enough* STRIPPED RIBBON!!

***********************************************************************

Although I *DON'T* Feel Like IT...

I THINK I MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN SHOVED OVER THE CLIFF OF "MIDDLE-AGED" INTO THE ABYSS OF "OLD"!?!

...so...I'm at THE GAP, rather ENJOYING the STORE's "MUSIC"... There's some Piece of CLASSIC-"..THE DEVIL'S MUSIC!.." Genre of PRE-ROCK'N'ROLL playing -- The *sort* of Rhythm that would have *INSPIRED* ELVIS! -- And, I casually strike up a Conversation with a VERY-PRETTY-20-SOMETHING-GIRL who is also finding IT "appealing"...

As I give Her a "TWITTER"-VERSION-MUSIC-HISTORY-LESSON, I just happen to toss in a *Habitual*-"DICK CLARK"-Colloquialism... I get back the DEER-IN-THE-HEADLIGHTS-STARE!

Granted, We're in CANADA and "DICK" is an *AMERICAN*-ICON, but still..?!

When Her Eyes began to GLAZE-OVER as I *Explained* "AMERICAN-BANDSTAND", I pretty much surrendered and told Her to "ASK" Her PARENTS! -- I probably *should* have suggested the *GRAND*-PARENTS!

At THAT Moment, I began to FEEL "ANCIENT"! -- And, *WITHOUT* a SENIORS'-DISCOUNT!!

I then proceeded to Purchase the ON-SALE-NEON-CORAL-COTTON-SWEATSHIRT and headed for MICHAEL'S...

oh. look... *SHINY* RIBBION!!

*******************************************************************

It was that "$1.00" SIGN's *FAULT*!!

IT STRUNG ME ALONG AND MADE ME *KNOTTY*!!

oh! AND, it gets WORSE... I actually Used a COUPON to bring the Price DOWN to 83-Cents Each!!

I got what I could of That LEFT-One as IT Matches My BUSINESS CARDS!

And, DON'T get Me Started on My ADDICTION to "LETTERS"...

****************************************************************

*ESCAPE* Beyond "THE CURB"!! -- oh. And...

...**HAPPY BIRTHDAY**, STEP-NEPH-J!!!

IT's still OVERCAST! - But, with the exceptions of a FEW Wayward FLAKES Overnight, there was **NOTHING** "TODAY"!! -- The Temps were just a tad Cooler, too. So, NO "MELT", either!

To MICHAEL'S, we were OFF!! -- I haven't been There in *over* a WEEK! Imagine!! - Though, I am rather p*ssed by the Fact that a Perfectly-Good-*50*%-OFF-COUPON went to WASTE *LAST* Week!! - pooh!

NO matter... We *managed* to "make-up-for-it"... SEE!?!

The RIBBONS were "4 for a DOLLAR"! - At THAT Price, I might actually start USING Them!
-- EVERYTHING ELSE was 50-CENTS-Each!!

...there was This SALE...

MOTHER also got a Bunch of "SHINY-STUFF" for SCRAPBOOKING...

I'm Thinking that Those BIG CLOTHES-PINS could come in Handy during My CRAFT SHOWS..?

These LETTER-HOOKS were also 50-CENTS.

*IF* EVER, I get around to "Building" and/or HAVING a *proper* "SHOWCASE" for My STUFF, THESE will also be quite USEFUL! - So, of course, I Bought ALL of the Ones I could FIND!

I'll "MAKE-UP" Words if I *have* to! -- As You can SEE, I almost broke a few BRAIN-CELLS coming up with This LOT! - That "J" *was* somewhat Problematic...

And, YES... What IS a "VISIT", without *more* YARN..??!!


eh?







Almost an Hour LATER, We Decided to "Check-Out" THE-BIG-MALL...

MOTHER hasn't been There for a WHILE. -- Besides, We BOTH wanted to have a Looksee at the *NEW* "JOE FRESH STORE"!!

To be Honest, the FOOTAGE seems to be about the *same* as Their "IN-HOUSE" sections at LOBLAWS. However, the Lower-Ceilings and Spot-Lighting of a "MALL"-Store does give Them a more UP-Scale AMBIENCE...

THE GAP will be getting some *stiff* Competition I Suspect... Although, *not* from Me, as I ended up Purchasing ITEMS from BOTH Stores! -- As if, I NEED *ANY* more!?

HOWEVER... THAT'S *WHAT* happens when I've been held CAPTIVE for SO long *behind* THE CURB!!

**********************************************************

**IF** You are READING **THIS**, then I can "Probably" ASSUME..

..THAT GINORMOUS SPECK OF COSMIC-"DUST", **MISSED** US, TODAY..??!!!!

..Well, EXCEPT for Those POOR UN-FORTUNATE FOLKS in The URALS that kinda got *SMUCKED* when that OTHER NOT-so-*STELLAR* WARM-UP-BAND "The METEORS" had Their *SONIC-BOOM*-Box-Speakers turned up to Nose-BLEED-Level... A *rather* NASTY bit of Business!! -- [The Impact even registered on the International SEISMIC Sites! - ouch!]

And, AS that ORBITAL-FLY-BY-TRESPASSING was being Perpetrated, I was just Clearing up some OTHER Overnight SKY-DROPPINGS... The WIND was also blowing up a *fuss*! However, since the Temps were on the WARM-side, *that* little Breeze was somewhat HELPFUL...

Although, at the Moment, Temps are DROPPING once more. -- hmm...That whole GRAVITATIONAL-*CHUMMINESS* appears to be a bit of a "Theme", Today. Isn't IT?!

whatever...

So. HERE's that PIC of Yesterday's Bundle of BOOTY! -- The RIBBONS were going for $1.29 and the HOOKS were REDUCED to $1.74 because One was Missing... At *that* Price, I'm not going to say "No" to METAL HOOKS, *even* though I already have Those SIZES! -- Besides, ONE can NEVER have *enough* HOOKS!

oh. And, the TIN was HALF-Price, too! -- of course!

*****************************************************

According to My SHOPPER-SCOPE, "..MERCURY has Risen..."

TRANSLATION -- IT's WARM **enough** - [-12C] - to SCOUT for "SALES" and **SHOP**!!

Sooo... NO "Coupons" for MICHAEL'S. -- [nuts!]

So. *NO* YARN "Purchases"! -- [pooh!]

HOWEVER... There was this "SALE"... MOST of the *already* "CLEARANCE"-RED-Tagged ITEMS were an **ADDITIONAL** 50%-OFF!!?! -- Especially, on SCRAPBOOKING-STUFF. *NEEDLESS to Say, MOTHER was a "HAPPY-SCRAPPER"!! - Although the CHECKOUT-CLERK, maybe *not* so much..? - EACH ITEM had to be Manually-Keyed for the Discount!! -- [poor SHAUNA!]

SO... Let's SEE "WHAT" I got!!

The GLASS PEBBLES were down to $1.24 per Bag. The Actual-Colour is closer to a JADE-GREEN.

The LITTLE RIBBONS came in at 12-Cents-Each. Which is Good, seeing as They're only 4-Feet worth. I didn't *really* need Them, but, MOTHER got a Handful, so I figured "why not"?

And THEN, there was This STAMPING DIE SET for the eventual Price of $3.75!! -- "Originally"-Priced at $39.99??!! -- IT's "LETTERS". Should no doubt, "come in handy" SOMEday...

Meanwhile, there were a Few Other smaller STAMPING KITS for even Less -- MOTHER is keeping Those amongst HER "STASH"!

Anyway, We were Scavenging the Store for at least an Hour! -- Finally ran into MANAGER-DAVE! Although He was "around" or, a Wave "across-a-Crowded-Store", We hadn't had a chance to actually *TALK* in almost 2 Weeks!

We *caught* Him just before He was going "to Lunch"... MOTHER ended up Chatting Him up for a while before I had emerged from the YARN-Section... Apparently, My upcoming *Birthday* was "mentioned" in Their Conversation...

I put in a "Request" for a little "SIGN" marking My Own *PARKING SPACE*..? - However, the SNOWBANKS in *front* of My Fav Spots could pose to be a Problem... hmm... Some GLITTER SPRAY PAINT could work...

Whilst the SUN was *still* UP, We decided to pop into VALUE-VILLAGE on Our way to THE MALL. - It's been a while...

I ended up Buying FABRIC that I really *don't* NEED for that "HOUSE" that I DON'T "HAVE"!! -- BUT, I *Liked* IT!! And, the Price wasn't *that* Bad...


This KIWI-ish GREEN and WHITE STRIPED "REMNANT" is almost 4-YARDS. Although IT doesn't "Say", I Believe that IT *IS* COTTON.

This OTHER PIECE appears to be *mostly* WOOL..?





The Quality is rather Nice and the Colours are considerably *more* apparent "in Person"!

There's about 1.5-Meters.

ANYHOO... *BEFORE* I had come across the FABRICS, I did a Tour about the "HOUSEWARES"-Section...



As I perused the Shelves, I hadn't *Noticed* This PITCHER until SOME-OTHER-WOMAN had picked IT up...


CRAP! -- IT looks GOOD!

I *casually* "FAKED" Browsing around the Shelving-Unit, WAITING to see *IF* She was going to "KEEP" IT!?


MUST keep My "Distance"!

oh.. YES! She's CHANGED Her Mind and putting IT BACK!!

Must WAIT *until* She's MOVED ON. *OUT* of Sight!!

ALRIGHTY! -- Let's check This Puppy OUT!




o-kay... $5.99 is a tad "Steep" for a Pitcher... BUT, hang on...

ah! The MAKER's MARK is CANADIAN!

AND, IT *is* STONEWARE! -- Not to mention, that BLUE and WHITE is quite lovely... *AND*, I have MUCH-STUFF-TO-MATCH!!




I've been doing some "RESEARCH", TRYING to get more INFO on the Potters - "NORTHWIND STONEWARE INC." of KITCHENER, ONTARIO... From what I can tell, They don't appear to be "around" any more!??

So far, I've only Located TWO Similar Pieces. SAME Shape and Glazing-Style - more or less... HOWEVER, Both have *quite* DIFFERENT "MAKER's MARKS"!?

The OTHERS are PRESS-STAMPED into the pre-Fired Clay, while THIS ONE has only been "INK"-STAMPED..? -- And, I've yet to source any Other References... THIS could be an Earlier OR, Later Piece..??

Perhaps, a "SECOND"-Piece? -- There does seem to be what *might* be a fine HAIRLINE "Impact"-Crack under the Glaze..? You can just make IT out under the Ink. - [the faint orangey X-line] - THAT would "explain" the Lack of any STAMP-IMPRESSIONS. Otherwise, the Shape and Glaze are too exact for THIS to be a "Knock-Off"!

*WHATEVER* the Case, I *still* LIKE IT!!

*******************************************************************

Had I Gone "SOLO"...

...I'D HAVE BEEN HOME 2-HOURS *EARLIER*!! - And, with way LESS in the TRUNK!

Whilst MANAGE-DAVE "hid" in His BACKROOM-BURROW, His Merry-MICHAEL'S-MAIDENS were CLEARING away the LAST of the CHRISTMAS-STUFF by way of Filling-up "$2."-GRAB-BAGS. -- THEIR method of "RETAIL-RECYCLING"..?

And, One of MOTHER's Fav Acquisition-Activities - "BIN"-BINGE-ING! -- The GIRLS couldn't pack those BAGS quick enough! By the Time I got back to Her, the CART was *already* FULL!!

Of course, She was going for the ONES that had the "Expensive"-RIBBON in... Actually, She ended up with quite the *BARGAIN*-HAUL with that Stuff! -- SIX-BAGS-plus-the-"CUSTOM"-[THANKS, AMANDA!]-PACKED-One-*LATER*, MOTHER progressed a Few Bins *over* to the "$1.99"-CAKE-STUFF. - [SEE 15JAN2013 POST]

Not all *that* much LEFT! - YET, there were a FEW ITEMS that I hadn't seen LAST Time... Along with THOSE, MOTHER also "Insisted" on getting some OTHERS that I had *already* MENTIONED that I had Acquired **PREVIOUSLY**!

MEANWHILE... The Remaining PATONS-5-BALL-YARN-PACKS are *still* $9.99! -- I picked-up Another ONE of the "CURRANT". ITS *CORAL* Hue goes quite well with MANY of the Other COLOURS.

Besides, *I* had to Buy SOMETHING!!

And, JUST getting THESE TWO BALLS with the "40%-OFF-COUPON", as well as the "2 for $10." DUCT TAPE wasn't gonna "CUT IT"!

A HOUR LATER, We headed off to get GROCERIES! -- Personally, had I been SOLO, I would've done a "RECCE" of *more* of the OTHER STORES... HOWEVER, there was still much left to be Done, that was on MOTHER's "LIST"!

Hope I don't run out of TRUNK-**SPACE**!!

..uh-oh... TOO LATE!!

By the Time We got to THE MALL - for even MORE Food - the BACKSEAT was seeing some "Cargo"-Action!

BTW, have I Mentioned the "ICE-RINK" that is My Laneway and Front Walkway..?

AFTER the SECOND "SLID-TRIP" of UN-Loading The VEHICLE, I *lost* COUNT! - Was *too* BUSY trying NOT to SLIP!! ...IN the -25C "DARK"!

you know... ALL of the COLOURFUL *WIDE* RIBBON, would WORK well as "PATH-MARKERS"!? -- yeah. I'm liking THAT!!

****************************************************************

*BEWARE* of PARKING-LOT-FAIRIES Bearing "GIFTS"...

...just saying...

AFTER, getting about 4 *GREEN-LIGHTS* in a Row, I just *knew* that SOMEthing "KARMIC" was going on...

More GREEN-LIGHTS... *Sparse* TRAFFIC... Plenty of Empty Spaces in the MICHAEL'S Lot -- I pull into "FAV-SPOT-#2".

And, as I open My Door, a *GLINT* on the Ground in the Empty-Space next to Me, *Catches* My Eye... oh. LOOK! - The PARKING-LOT-FAIRY has "BLESSED" Me with COINS on the Ground!! -- A Dime. A Nickel...

ahh.. that's kinda *weird*... WHY are Those FIVE-PENNIES *placed* like a PENTAGON..?? hmm...

[INSERT "TWILIGHT ZONE" Music... If only to liven up the Mood.]

oh! what the hell! I can't let the poor little beggars *freeze* and get run over! -- I popped Them into My nice *warm* Pocket!

Now. At some Point in the PAST, I had sorta Promised Myself to NOT Buy any *more* BOXES! - Unless of course, They were Priced at 6 for $10. - However, the $2.50-Each Ones in the OUTSIDE-BINS had THESE 3 "CANADIANA" TYPES in them!! - I got TWO of Each...

Well, that pretty much FILLED My CART, and I wasn't even *completely* INTO the STORE yet!! -- yes... "FORCES" *are* at WORK Here...

The TIN-ish PLAQUES at the $1.50-Regular-Price were My next Cart-Deposit. - [$1.35 after the SENIORS'-DAY-DISCOUNT]

Hey! There's MANAGER-DAVE putting out "90%-OFF"-Signs on the Leftover-CHRISTMAS-Stuff... Let's check IT out, huh?

With the DISCOUNT --

• LARGE TINS - 44-Cents each
• SMALL TINS - [ABOVE] 31-Cents each - got Two
• MINI-SOCKS - 76-Cents each - got Three of each Colour
• CHECKER-SOCK - 22-Cents

[ABOVE] - RIBBONS

• PURPLE - $1.07
• RED - $1.52 - Got Four
• GREEN - $1.21 - Got 4 in Both-Sizes

THEN... In an Aisle-Display just across from the from My "HOLIDAY"-Pillaging, was "CAKE"-STUFF...



"CLEARANCE"-*ON-SALE* CAKE-STUFF!!


Stuff that is *usually* Priced from $10. to $22. STUFF!


Stuff that was now going for *ONLY* "$1.99"-Each STUFF!!


I had to GET an Extra SHOPPING-BASKET!!




BTW, These PUNCHES also *need* a Special "BASE"-UNIT... [Not pictured] - *THOSE* were NOT "ON-SALE"!

However, *not* to FEAR! A couple of 40%-OFF-Coupons got THOSE down to $15.-Each! -- I needed TWO-Sizes...





WELL! -- SISTER's Future "Birthday" and "CHRISTMAS" GIFTS are now COVERED!!

MEANWHILE, I had been IN the STORE for over 40-Minutes and STILL hadn't gotten to the YARN-SECTION!!


But, WHEN I did...


okay. So. The SAME Bins of the PATONS "$19.99" 5-BALL-PACKS have been around for WEEKS. Loaded with "PINKS"... That, I have "enough" of.

[cough!] - yeah. right!



Anyhoo... so, I'm "Helping" this OLDER-FRENCH-LADY to find *another* Pack of the HEATHER-Shade as We "Discuss" the YARN and ITS "PRICE"...yadda, yadda...

BUT, it's not until AFTER I find Said Colour, that I happen to finally "NOTICE" the *TINY*-Somewhat-HIDDEN-SIGN that says "$9.99"!!?

MERDE!! -- NO Wonder She was Babbling about the LOW-PRICE!!

[NOTE TO SELF -- *REMEMBER* to give MANAGER-DAVE an "AUNTIE"-Pout when I see Him again!! - He's disappeared...]

Well... THOSE will soon be Selling-Off... I *piled-on* TWO-PINKS and a lone ORANGE Pack! -- TIME to head to the CHECKOUT!!

I ended up Steering TWO CARTS to THE CAR! -- The TRUNK was now *FULL*!!

And, apparently, The PARKING-LOT-FAIRY had LEFT for the Day! -- I checked. No more "Extra" MAGICAL-MONEY to Apply to My *NEXT* CHARGE-CARD "BILL"!! -- pooh!

I had "PLANNED" on Perusing a Few OTHER Stores, but the Hour was getting on and, I still HAD to get to THE MALL for some GROCERY-SPECIALS... I'm almost *Tempted* to get CAKE!?

*****************************************************************

STUFF to DO! PLACES to BE! - Now, IF I could *ONLY*...

...GET TO TURN "LEFT" AT SOME POINT IN MY *LIFETIME*!!??

The INTERSECTION of MONTREAL ROAD and ST.LAURENT BOULEVARD - I'm in the WESTBOUND-LEFT-TURNING-LANE in Spot-15ish? I've been There for OVER 10-Minutes!! WHY? -- Because...

• TRAFFIC. Obviously.
• The LEFT-TURN-*ARROW*-LIGHT is only ON for about 10 to 12 Seconds..?
• The FIRST CAR **DOESN'T** TURN until "SECOND-8"..!!??
• *MAYBE* 3-Cars GET through at each SIGNAL-ROTATION..?
• PEOPLE? Get a &^%%$^%&^ CLUE!!

Needless to say, WHEN *I* was FIRST at the LIGHT - waiting - by the end of SECOND-*2*, I was already THROUGH the TURN!!

WHAT was supposed to have been a "Quick" Stop at a "MEAT"-Store - since IT was just across the Road from the GROCERY-Store that I *had* to go to - ended up taking a good HALF-HOUR *CHUNK* out of *MY* Time!! -- IT was bad enough that I had Left the HOUSE Later than WHEN I had "PLANNED"... A REvised "FLIGHT-PLAN" was being "Filed"!

EVENTUALLY, I made IT to THE BIG MALL!

• The BANK First... "Empty"! - TELLERS are "Standing-By"... YAY!
• Next, had a LETTER to POST...
• Afterward, a Circuit of the Mall...
• THE GAP - yeah, of course, I Bought SOMETHING! - A *heavy* COTTON ZIPPERED-CARDIGAN. Was already over HALF-OFF, then *another* 30%-OFF! And, IT's "NAVY". -- IT'll be WORN!
• THE BODY SHOP - WooHoo! The SHOWER-GEL I like that wasn't "IN-STOCK" the Last Time I was IN, now "IS" *and* HALF-PRICE?! -- I picked-up a FEW. - oh. Have to RENEW My "DISCOUNT"-MEMBERSHIP, too... No prob. Still getting a "Deal"!

Off to MICHAEL'S... "SENIORS' DISCOUNT DAY"!! - Been a WHILE! - [silly HOLIDAYS being on TUESDAY!]

TODAY's "MISSION" - Get MORE of what *might* be LEFT of the CHRISTMAS STUFF! - [SEE 05JAN2013 POST] - I loaded-up on Those "TAKE-OUT"-BOXES! Thirty *more*! And, another BALL of the "LEMONGRASS" YARN! - That "SMART-CAMERA" 40%-OFF-COUPON was still GOOD!

Got some RIBBON. The One with the LADYBUGS was actually part of the "75%-OFF-RETURNED-ITEMS-CLEARANCE" Stuff. AS were the KNITTING NEEDLES! - [$1.87 *before* other Discounts!]

The Chrome WREATH-HANGER was a little over a Couple of DOLLARS... IT's a great Hook, I'll probably Use IT for Something ELSE. There were More available, however, My SENIORS'-Discount didn't "APPLY" to IT. -- Maybe if They're still around Next Week, I'll get Extras...

At about 40-Cents, the *LAST* Green METAL-BELL was just begging for a New Home! Same Price for the COOKIE-CUTTERS...

And THEN, there were the CLEAR-PLASTIC-"BULBS" -- There was this "Basket" FULL of Them... Staring up AT Me... "Subliminally"-Shouting, "..BUY US, AUNTIE!! We *know* You'll think of *Something*-Profoundly-PITHY to put INTO US!!"

IT was Large Basket... Had about 20 or so BULBS... But, at 62-Cents for the Larger-FLAT-Ones and 57-Cents for the ROUND-Ones -- ah, what-the-hell! -- I Bought Them ALL!

hmm..."pithy", huh? -- How's "SHEEP-IN-A-BUBBLE", sound?

THOUGHTS..?

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THIS is "What" HAPPENS When...

..I HAVEN'T *BEEN* TO A "CERTAIN"-PLACE FOR *OVER* A WEEK!!

With a "20%-OFF-Your-ENTIRE-Purchase"-COUPON Frying a Chip on My "SMART"-CAMERA's SD-Card, OFF We were to MICHAEL'S for almost TWO-HOURS!! - oh. Look! STILL some CHRISTMAS-STUFF ON-SALE!

I left MOTHER with the Cart to *Explore* Her way over to the "CHRISTMAS"-Section, whilst I headed for "YARN"... hmm..STILL a LOT of the "PINKS" left of the PATONS 5-BALL-PACKS. No sign of any *more* of My Other FAV Colours, though...

The "Single"-Balls are back to Regular-Price, so I just grabbed One of the "LEMONGRASS" Shade. - IT seemed to be one of "THE" *HOT*-Hues over at THE GAP the Other Day. Used My 40%-OFF-Coupon.

ah! There's MANAGER-DAVE doing "Managerial"-Stuff in the STOCK-ROOM... We "small-talked" for a moment.

I moved on to check out OTHER STUFF...

hmm... These JOURNALS - [LEFT & BELOW] - were the only Ones left in "Boxes" marked as $1.99-CLEARANCE. However, when I Price-"Checked" Them on the Store's "Machines", They read the Original $7.99 Price..??

Went back to LOOK at those Price-Labels again -- ah. THESE *aren't* Listed.

Decided to bring Them to MANAGER-DAVE's "attention"...

As I suspected, They *shouldn't* have been Put THERE!

"...But, if you still want them, we can do an over-ride. Just tell them at the Cash that I okayed it..."

Just ANOTHER REASON "WHY" I keep Shopping at THIS LOCATION! -- I got 2 of the "ZEBRA" One. I like the Cover!

I trolled some more... Eventually, locating MOTHER and the Cart. - We spent the next HOUR pillaging through that CHRISTMAS-Stuff... Then, Price-Checking IT...

After all the "DISCOUNTS" - [BEFORE taxes] - I got the RIBBONS for 80-Cents [SMALL Ones] to $2.71 for the LARGE One. The CERAMIC "TREE" DISH came in at 72-Cents!

Meanwhile, the PLASTIC "TAKE-OUT" BOXES were 40-Cents Each! - Got 4-Each of These Three-Styles. I'm thinking that THEY would be "Novel" to use at Next Year's CRAFT SHOWS..? As, I already use GIFT-BAGS in the *same* Material - [Sturdy. Water-Proof-ish] - for My PRODUCTS.

I probably *should* have Bought MORE! -- I'll have to do that on TUESDAY, when I'll likely be There again...

BTW, there was also some YARN! -- MOTHER picked up some RED "Synthetic" Stuff for 60-Cents, however, there was still some of the BERNAT HANDICRAFTER COTTON 80g-BALLS around for 99-Cents Each! -- I grabbed WHAT was LEFT!!

[The BIG-BALL is that "LEMONGRASS"]

We were at the CHECKOUT for a while...

Because We had Spent more Time There than "Planned", We nixed any Thoughts of checking out the Rest of TRAINYARDS. Instead, We headed toward THE-MALL... Besides, I needed the remaining Daylight to SEE the SINKHOLE-WANNABE-POTHOLES!! And, get ahead of THE-BIG-MALL TRAFFIC!

But first, We stopped by the NEARBY-STRIP-MALL to pop into OLD NAVY - [I didn't Buy ANYthing!] - and BOWRING... Which, is apparently CLOSING at THAT Location at the End of the Month!?! -- I hope Another GOOD Store goes into that Spot!

We finished off at THE-MALL until CLOSING! -- About Time too! The SUN was long Down. The TRUNK was FULL. And, I was POOPED! ...Hungry, too...

I'm probably going to have to SHOVEL *again* Tomorrow... crap...

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